Egg carton assembling device



` Jan. 14, 1,941. s- BERGsTElN 2,228,943

EGG CARTON ASSEMBLING DEVI CE` Filed June16, 1939 2 Sheets-Sheet l Lg; Uug U EGA?. I6

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ATTORNEYS Jan. 14, 1941. s. BERGSTEIN EGG CARTON ASSEMBLING DEVICE Filed June 16, 1939' 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 mw www E -arqll R mw Nn E Vs N6 1R l ATTORNEYS.

@oriented .liana i4, 1941 STATI-:s

PATENT UFFlCE 13 Claims.

in my United States Letters Patent No. 2.125.- trit I have disclosed an improved egg carton comprlsing a illler made of moulded pulp or the like.

and an. outer carton or sleeve. In my United il states Letters Patent No. 2,100,022 1 disclosed means for securing this filler within the outer carton or sleeve, and in my copending application Serial No. 220,068, filed July 19, 1938, I have disclosed method for-making this carton or sleeve emciently, and at high speed.

My present invention relates to improved devices for bringing the locking iiaps of the carton into interlocking engagement with the loaded filler which is in position therein, without the need of applying adhesive. which is one oi the obiects oi my invention. My invention further contemplates, as herein disclosed. interlocking oi' either a single lock or several locks in the same carton. and the carrying out of this interlocking on two or more cartons simultaneously, thereby further facilitating speed and packing time, which are further objects of my invention. Still other objects of my invention will become apparent as the description proceeds.

w In the drawings:

Figure l is a plan view illustrating one em bodiment of my invention.

Figure 2 is a side elevation of the device of Figure i.

Figure 3 is a section taken along line 3 3 oi Figure i.,

Figure 4 is an enlarged section taken along line t--i of Figure 1 showing the device in operative position.

3% Figure 5 is a plan view illustrating an alternative construction..

Figure 6 is a sectional view taken along line t-t of Figure 5.

\ Figure 'I is a fragmentary perspective showing a retractable abutment member employed in the device oi Figures and 6.

Figure 8 is a perspective view looking at the bottom of a carton or sleeve having a single lock.

Figure 9 is a similar view showing aY sleeve with a double lock.

For purposes of simplicity in description I will 4hereinafter refer to the outer carton or sleeve simply as a "sleeve although it should be understood that this sleeve may have an end closure as illustrated in Figure 9 of my Patent No. 2,125,- 042, or other types of end closure if desired, the term sleeve being used merely for purposes of simplicity in description. I will also hereinafter 55 refer to the inner portion, that is the filler of moulded pulp or the like, I2 in Figure 1,

simply as the "iiller" and it should be understood that this may be made of moulded pulp preferably. although other forms of partitions or filters oo might be adapted to be used in my present in- 'tween the inner exterior surfaces of opposite iingers I5 to the position shown in Figure 4.

(Cl. S13-37) ventions without departing from the spirit or scope.

Referring to Figures 8 and 9, the sleeves to which my device is particularly adapted have, in their bottom panel 60, cuts 6I. The cuts 6I 5 consist of an arc-shaped middle out 62 and adjoining cuts 63.y A cut 64 extends between the curved cuts B2.` Score lines G5 join the outer ends of the diverging cuts 63 and a score line 66 extends between the score lines 65. The results of these cuts and score lines is to form aps 6l, each adapted to be bent upward from the bottom 60 on its respective score line 65. and to partially collapse on its score line 66, so that its side portions diverge from this score line toward the middle of the container; while outer tabs 68, formed by the curved cuts 62, are adapted to bend further in toward each other in a direction toward the mid-length of the container. The purpose of these flaps is to llt into the inverted channel between the two members I2a and I2b oi the egg holder or filler I2 after it has been fully inserted into the sleeve; to prevent it from sliding out of the sleeve. The tabs 68 are forced up beegg cavities as best seen in Figure i.

Referring now to Figures 1 to 4 inclusive, the device here illustrated provides a series of guides I0, mounted on a base member lI. These guides retain the iillers I2 in upright position suitable for loa/ding with eggs. The guides are extended as at Illa to retain a corresponding series oi eartons or sleeves I3 in erect position it will be noted in Figure 3 that the portion of the base Ilia upon which the llers rest is slightly above the portion IIb upon which the sleeves rest, so that as the loaded fillers are moved forward into the sleeves, they will not catch or be obstructed by the bottom panels thereof. The guides tu have tapered portions Illb which serve to press the lillers slightly as they are moved forward, so that the sides of the llers do not catch on the sides of the sleeves.

In the base member il a series of openings I4 are provided, through which the locking iingers I5 are arranged to operate. The nngers I5 are iixed on shafts I6 journaled in bearing brackets I1, which brackets are xed to the under side of the base member. Gears I8, i9, 20 and 2l are ilxed at the outer end of the shafts. Gear I8 50 has a stud 22 to which is connected a link 23 which link, at its other end, is pivotally connected to a handle or lever 24. The lever 24 is pivoted at 25 to the under side of member II and4 may be limited in its movement by pins 2G and 21. 55 A tension spring 28 urges the assembly to the position shown in Figures 1 to 3- inclusive.

Movement of the handle 24 as indicated by the arrow in Figure 1 will revolve the shafts IB and Figure 8 illustrates one form of my carton, having a single pair of bottom locks, and Figure 9 illustrates an alternate form of carton having two pairs of bottom locks. In these forms as illustrated the carton has been squared up empty, that is, without a filler therein. and it will be seen that in this form, which is the form which the carton takes upon being squared up, the locks still lie in the plane of the bottom panel.

The device I have illustrated in Figures 1 to 4 inclusive shows an arrangement designed to lock two pairs of locks in each carton', but it is obvious that the same principle can readily be adapted for for use with cartons having only a single pair of locks, a single lock, or more than two pairs of locks, as desired. To use this device, cartons with two pairs of bottom locks as illustrated in Figure 9 are placed between the guides Illa to retain them in erect position, and iillers are placed between the guides IIJ which hold them in erect form for filling. After the llers have been loaded with eggs, the loaded fillers are pushed forward into the cartons.

After the loaded filler has been inserted into the carton, the shafts I6 are actuated by the lever 24, and-as shown in Figure 4-this causes all the iingers I5 to swing into operative position, the motion of these fingers serving to move simultaneously all the bottom locks of the carton, into interlocked engagement with the loaded iiller therein. It is apparent that the actual actuating means, that is whether by hand lever operated motion or a foot lever, or power means, or otherwise, is immaterial, so long as motion is applied to the lever to thereby actuate the shafts through the gears. Upon being released, the spring 28 causes a. return to normal or inoperative position of the fingers and shafts. The cartons with the llers locked therein may thereupon be removed and the entire operation repeated.

It is obvious that the principles of my device may be applied to a single carton or to any desired multiple of cartons, and in the above illustrations Figures 1 and 2 show a device in which three cartons may be operated upon at one time.

Some of the features of my device that should be particularly noted--the iingers are properly spaced and located so as to be in correct position under the locks, whereby the carton is placed down into the guides preferably with an end stop to serve in locating the carton properly with no further aligning required. Also, I have provided means for supporting the loaded carton over a locking device, without interfering in any way with the operation of the locking device, and it is apparent that if desired merely narrow side plates or other supporting means could be used, instead of the openings shown, just so long as means are provided to support the carton and also means for the locking device to operate upwardly into the base of the carton. Further, by my device as shown the locking means are below the level of the carton when in inoperative position, so that no obstruction is placed in the path of the iiller as it is moved into the carton, and yet by a single and simple motion a single locking device or a series of locking devices move into operative position, securely interlocking the bottom locks into the loaded iiller within the carton.

Figures 5, 6 and '1 illustrate an alternate form of my device, on the same principles as the device previously shown but incorporating additional features which facilitate rapid handling and packing of the cartons to a still higher degree. In the device here illustrated I have provided a whereby one series may be in position for loading conveyor belt 30 running over rolls 3I and 32. A plate 31 supports the belt throughout its upper course of travel. At its terminus the plate has finger like portions 31a which extend into deep grooves 32a of the roll 32. to the belt 30 a series of abutments generally indicated at 33 serve to carry the fillers I2 forward after they have been manually inserted in the guideways 34, 35, and 36. The construction of one of the members 33 is best shown in Figure 7. Here the abutment plate 33a is iixed on a rod 38 which rod is retained on the belt by the members 39 and 40. Members 39 and 40 have cutout portions 39a and 40a which allow free movement of rod 38, said members 39 and 40 being iixed to the belt by machine screws 39h and 40h which on their under side have nuts which are countersunk into the belt. Also iixed to the rod 38 is a tail piece 4I, which, due to cut out portions 30a in the belt 30, are permitted to ride upon the surface of plate 31. The tail piece is preferably of heavy stock so that as the belt passes over the plate 31, the abutment member 33a is held in the position shown by gravity. Referring to Figure 6, the iiller, as it passes the end of the conveyor belt will be pushed completely into the leeve I3. At this point the tail piece 4I will pass the end of plate 31 and drop downward, causing the abutment member 33a to rotate counterclockwise about its axis. The abutment member is thus withdrawn from interference with the bottom panel 50 of the sleeve. The guideways 34, 35 and 36 are formed by a. series of plates 42 which plates have tapered portions 42a at their ends serving to assist the entrance of the ller into the sleeves.

The means or guides for holding the sleeves are incorporated in a reciprocating tray or table 43 mounted on ways 44. The tray 43 has provisions for receiving a double series of sleeves while another series of sleevesare being inserted.

As here illustrated the tray 43 is adapted for manual operation in its reciprocating movement, but it will be apparent that mechanical means for accomplishing this movement in timed relation with the conveyor belt could readily be provided.

Overhead arms 50 are provided above each sleeve, being mounted on a shaft 5I journaled in bearing brackets 52 and having a lever 53 at its outer end. From the lever 53 a link or rod 53a may extend to a foot treadle or, if desired, a cam or other mechanical device for operating same. The arms 50, when moved down against the upper panel of the sleeves, serve to hold the sleeves against upward movement during interlocking of the tabs by the lingers I5a. It may also be desirable to provide stamping devices on the arms 50 as indicated at 54. Thus the arms 50 serve the double purpose of retaining the carton during the locking operation, and of stamping the carton with data such as the date of packing, etc.

The locking means here shown (Figures 5 and 6) are adapted for locking cartons or sleeves having a single lock as seen in Figure 8. Here the ngers I5a are mounted in shafts I6a having at their outer ends levers or arms 55 oppositely disposed. Pivoted to the outer end of the arms 55 the links 56 and 51 may be connected to a pull rod 58 which rod may be operated by the same foot treadle or other device utilized for operating the arms 50.

All such devices may be timed to operate in desired order, that is actuated to coordinate together. As an example, as the iiller moving" Pivotally attached 5 means moves the loaded fillers into one series of erect cartons, the overhead arm would thereupon come down to hold the cartons while the locking devices operate, this arm also dating the cartons or stamping them otherwise as desired, and upon being released this series of loaded and locked cartons move aside permitting the other series of carton holders to slide into position in alignment with the ller holders, these cartons having been inserted while the above named series of steps were taking place. Thereupon the loaded cartons are removed and empty cartons inserted while another series of loaded fillers are being inserted into the empty cartons.

I have referred in my description to the use of this device in the packing of eggs, but it is obvious that it may be adapted with equal facility to other articles. It is also apparent that modifications can be made in the particular devices described by one skilled in the art, without departing from the spirit and scope of my invention,

Having thus described my invention what I claim as new and novel and desire to secure by Letters Patent' is:

i. In a carton assembling device, means for retaining a plurality of sleeves in open position, means for moving a plurality of content-containing fillers into said open sleeves, means to actuate a series of fingers against the central portions of said locking members. whereby wings -of said locking members are free to fold back as said members are pressed against projections of the iiller during the course of travel of said fingers.

2. In a carton assembling device, means for retaining a plurality of sleeves in open position, means for moving a plurality of content-containing nllers into said open sleeves, said sleeves having locking members adapted to engagement with said fillers, and moving means for pressing against the central portion of said locking-members to permit the edges of said members to trail the course of travel of the central portions'of said members as they are retarded by the pro jections of said nllers.

3. In a carton assembling machine, duplicate movable carton-retaining means, so arranged that one of said means is in operable position aligned with filler-guiding members, while the other oi? said duplicate carton-retaining means is not in operable position.

li. In a carton assembling machine, duplicate movable carton-retaining means, so arranged that one of said means is in operable position aligned with filler-guiding members, while the other of said duplicate carton-retaining means is not in operable position, each of said means having openings in the base thereof, and locking means located below said operable position, said means adapted to move through said openings to interlock cartons with the fillers therein. y

5. In a device for interlocking sleeves with loaded fillers therein, means for supporting the sleeves, movable members located below the position of the sleeves and adapted to rise into engagement therewith to effect the interlocking by raising and partially collapsing portions of the sleeve inwardly thereof, and pressure means movable downwardly from above into contact with the sleeves during the operation of interlocking.

6. In-a device for interlocking sleeves with loaded fillers therein, means for supporting the sleeves, movable members located below the position of the sleeves and adapted to rise into engagement therewith to effect the interlocking by moving detlectable portions of the sleeve inwardly thereof, and pressure means movable downwardly from above into contact with the sleeves during the operation of interlocking, and means interlinking the saidmovable members and pressure means for conjoint intermittent operation.

7. In a device for interlocking sleeves`with loaded fillers therein, means for supporting the sleeves, movable members located below the position of 'the sleeves and adapted to rise into engagement therewith to eifect the interlocking by moving deiectable portions of the sleeve inwardly thereof, and pressure means movable downwardly from above into contact with the'sleeves during the operation of interlocking, said pressure means having a stamping device thereon to imprint said sleeves.

il. In a device oi the character described, aligning means to retain a carton in predetermined position, and moving means to raise locking members thereof to a position substantially at right angles to a panel of said carton and a contentcontaining filler located within said carton arranged to deflect the edges of said locking members as they are raised thereby to conform to the contour of said filler.

9. In a device of the character described, aligning means to retain a plurality of cartons in predetermined position, and a plurality of synchronized moving means to raise locking members thereof to a position substantially at right angles to panels of said cartons, and contentcontaining iillers located within said cartons arranged to deflect the edges of said locking members as they are raised thereby to conform to the contour of said filler.

i0. In a device for interlocking sleeves with loaded fillers positioned therein, retaining means to maintain the sleeve in erect form and moving means to fold a locking member of a panel of said sleeve to an angle relative to said panel while defiecting wings of said member into recesses oi said filler.

ii. In a device for interlocking a plurality oi sleeves with loaded fillers positioned therein, retaining means to maintain said sleeves in erect i'orm and multiple synchronized moving means to fold locking members of panels of said sleeves into a position at an angle relative to said panel while deflecting Wings of said members into recesses of said fillers.

12. In a device for interlocking sleeves having a plurality of locking members with illlers located therein, aligning means to retain said sleeves in predetermined position and means to actuate a series of fingers `against the central portions of said locking members, whereby wings or said locking members are free to fold back as said membersare pressed against projections oi.' the filler during the course of travel of said fingers.

13. In a carton assembling device, means for retaining a plurality of sleeves in open position, said sleeves having locking members adapted to engagement with said llers, and moving means for pressing against the central portion of said locking members to permit/.the edges of said members to trail the course of travel of the central portions o! said members as they are retarded by the projections of said fillers.

SAMUEL BERGSTEIN. 

